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Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Transition Tips?

Wondered what tips other foster moms had for transitioning kids out of the home. I'd thought a lot about how to welcome kids in to our home but not much on the other end.


I read somewhere to keep busy and plan something fun the day after for our child. We have a fun outing picked for when that day comes. Any tips on helping our child transition? Going from 1 to 3 was hard but going from 3 to 1 is going to be harder on a whole different level.


Still no news to share.

BEACH!

Weekend before last I took the girls to the beach. We all love the beach and even though it was barely 60* it was a beautiful day. I met my friend and her daughter Winni there. They live about 3 hours from us so we meet kind of in the middle for fun every few months. Wish it could be more often but with gas reaching $4.30  a gallon it's tough.

Here is our girls then and now on the beach.


I can't believe how much they have both grown. Not babies anymore they are both little girls. And they both became sisters this past year. FUN!

Isabel had a bad experience with waves at a beach we visited last year. The waves were crazy and even though they barely reached out knees we had sand in our ears they were so strong. So she wasn't about to get in the ocean this time.
Well, at least not at first. By the end she was wet to her waist along with M. I have some great pictures of them with huge smiles just having fun the way sister should. Loved watching them play.
Our beach beauty. Wish I could share a couple I got of M & L. Beautiful girls!

We brought kites for all the kids to fly. So much fun once we got them in the air. Thanks to R for telling me to let the tail out!

I also got to meet R and her son M for the first time. They came to have some family time on the coast and spent a few hours of their vacation with us. A wonderful lady, loved getting to chat and watch her little man in action.
Winni and M liked each other!
And then there is the sand.... Yep! And the next minute she was literally laying in the sand to cover the back. Had to bring out the vacuum with this one. She loved it a little bit too much. 
And yet Isabel had only a tiny bit of sand in her hair. Go Belle!

Our 5 kids (Winni's baby brother stayed home sick with daddy). 
M 2 yrs, Isabel 3, M 6, Winni 2, L (2 days away from) 2
Can't wait to do it again.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Strawberrys!

Isabel's birthday is next month. I can't believe my baby will be 4. We planted some strawberry seeds that we'll use at her party a couple weeks ago. They still haven't grown which makes us all a bit sad. I think I might need to replace them with some store bought strawberry plants.

Friday, March 2, 2012

New Post

Over on the private blog.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

February Fun

Our month started with a trip to an aquarium. Isabel has never been to an aquarium and has had a fear of sharks (thank you Little Mermaid) so I was a bit worried about how she would do. But I didn't need to worry.

We met our friends there. Thank you L for turning her head at the right moment. :-)

L got so close to this bird. The bird thought L had a little cup of the nectar they were being fed, but she didn't. Once it realized this it hopped on it's way but not before I got a picture that looks like L is about to grab the bird.
Shortly after I got this picture of the girls admiring the HUGE shark tank Isabel asked if she could take her shoes off and get in with them. UM... NO!!!!


Isabel and Winni loved playing together.
Isabel got to touch a bunch of stingray. She was so excited and so proud of herself.

Another first for Isabel but not for M & L... Chuck E Pizza place. It was a hit!

L didn't get the point of the games I tried to play with her but she thought she was doing a great job and that's all that matters.
Not afraid of the big mouse robot at all. L however would not stand for a picture.
There was a face painter there and the girls all got their faces painted. She did an amazing job. M had a cheetah face, that's her favorite animal. And it was amazing. Isabel loved her ballerina. I occasionally call her my "Bell-erina" so she thought that was pretty cool.

Too cool! Got the big girls these glasses and a top for L with the tickets we all won.
SNOW! It's been a exceptionally dry year here but we finally had our first good snow in the mountains. We just got our second one two nights ago. It's been really hard to try and do things like this with a school schedule. But we managed to sneak in a short trip with the little ones. Isabel's one request was to make a snowman.
The weather was great. Dave and I walked around with no jackets on. Perfect day in the snow.
We broke the sled...
Throwing snowballs at mommy.
Finally getting to make her snowman. She wanted to bring carrots and everything. It was a last minute trip though so I didn't have anything. Searched around and found some creative choices to make a face.
Those are acorn tops for the eyes and nose and a small piece of pine tree for the mouth. I wish we'd been able to make a bigger one but she was happy with this one. Next time we'll make a big snowman and bring all the supplies.


Just want to add I take plenty of pics of M they just all seem to be from the front. And I do not like blurring her face and cropping her out often. If she happens upon them on the computer when we look at pictures she would be crushed. But rest assured there are plenty. Including a great one a Chuck E with her face painted on a race car game in.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Curve Ball

Had a bit of a curve ball of emotions with the girls case today.

Prayers appreciated

Happy Birthday L

Today our little L turns 2. 

We gave her a present from us and her respite foster mom (she sent a gift card and I shopped) this morning. Today Isabel and I will make cupcakes and we'll have them together after dinner.
We gave her the light up ladybug. Isabel has the turtle one in her room and the girls love it.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

SoCal!

February 17th

February 25th

Yeah, we love living here.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Waiting is Hard

How do you handle waiting for news? We are at 3 weeks post grievance hearing and still no one has heard anything as to the results. In reality it's only been 9 working days but still. I'm starting to go crazy. Every working day I have knots in my stomach. Every night that mail is delivered I wait and wonder if tonight will be the night we hear something.


I'm trying to just give it to God because I'm all prayed out but I am having a real hard time remembering to live in the moment right now. I'm trying to have faith and continue trusting.

This scene keeps coming to my mind lately. Last night I knew it was time to pull out the movie and watch it. We will not quit believing and waiting. We really don't have any choice. But right now I don't feel like I'm not cut out to be a foster parent because this is hard. But the children, our precious girls, they are worth the heartache and the waiting. And I am glad God choose us to be their foster parents.